NBA Games Today April 1: Pacers vs Bulls, Knicks vs Grizzlies

The NBA schedule for April 1, 2026 delivers two compelling late-season matchups with major implications for playoff seeding, lottery positioning, and spread bettors. Tonight features the Indiana Pacers visiting the Chicago Bulls at the United Center and the New York Knicks traveling to Memphis to face the Grizzlies. Whether you're tracking standings, looking for betting angles, or just want to know where to watch, here's everything you need to know about tonight's NBA games.

NBA Games Tonight: April 1, 2026 Schedule Overview

Two games headline the NBA schedule for April 1, 2026. The Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls tip off at the United Center, followed by the New York Knicks taking on the Memphis Grizzlies. Both matchups carry weight far beyond typical mid-week regular season games — draft positioning, playoff seeding, and meaningful ATS trends are all in play.

For fans looking to catch the action, make sure to check your local listings and streaming options. An NBA League Pass subscription card remains one of the most convenient ways to access out-of-market games throughout the season.

Pacers vs. Bulls: Indiana's Lottery Hopes and a Chicago Slump

The Indiana Pacers arrive at the United Center as +160 moneyline underdogs, but recent performance suggests they are more competitive than that number implies. According to Yahoo Sports' prediction breakdown, Indiana has gone 6-0 against the spread in their last six games, exceeding expectations by an average of 8.9 points per game — a streak that sharp bettors simply cannot ignore.

The underlying story for Indiana, however, is the tank race. The Pacers are tied with the Washington Wizards for the worst record in the NBA, giving them a 52.1% chance at a top-four lottery pick. The stakes get even more complicated: Indiana's 2026 first-round pick will be conveyed to the Los Angeles Clippers if it falls between picks 5 and 9 — a range that benefits neither the Pacers nor their long-term rebuilding timeline.

Pascal Siakam's return to the lineup roughly ten days ago adds another layer of intrigue. His presence may actually hurt Indiana's lottery odds while boosting their competitive output — which explains in part why they keep covering spreads even while losing games that matter for positioning.

On the other side, the Chicago Bulls have dropped four consecutive games, including a loss to Memphis when they were installed as 5-point favorites. That kind of result signals a team with structural problems that go beyond one bad night. For bettors and fans alike, tonight's Bulls are a team searching for answers in a lost season.

Knicks vs. Grizzlies: A Struggling Road Trip Meets a Depleted Memphis Roster

The New York Knicks enter Memphis having lost the first three games of their current road trip — a skid that has drawn public criticism from within the organization itself. Both head coach Mike Brown and guard Josh Hart publicly called out the team's effort level, a rare display of accountability that signals the Knicks know their ceiling is being squandered.

For more on the full betting breakdown, Covers.com's Knicks vs. Grizzlies analysis dives deep into the key angles. One of the biggest factors shaping New York's recent struggles is the absence of Landry Shamet, who has been sidelined since suffering a knee contusion on March 20, 2026. Shamet averages 9.6 points and shoots .388 from three — numbers that matter enormously for a team that plays at the sixth-slowest pace in the league. Since his injury, the Knicks are a troubling 1-5 against the spread.

Josh Hart has done his part, averaging 17.1 points over his last six games, but individual heroics haven't translated into team wins on the road. The stylistic clash tonight adds another compelling dimension: New York's deliberate, grind-it-out pace meets Memphis's uptempo attack — the Grizzlies play at the sixth-fastest pace in the league. If Memphis forces the Knicks into a transition game, New York's defensive identity could crack.

Memphis, for their part, are without seven players with a combined 133 starts who are out for the remainder of the season, and they've gone just 1-6 over their last seven games. This is a Grizzlies team in survival mode, yet at home with pace advantages, they remain a threat to a Knicks squad that isn't playing its best basketball.

Betting Angles and ATS Trends to Watch

Tonight's slate is rich with betting storylines. Here's a quick summary of the sharpest ATS trends heading into April 1:

• Pacers ATS streak: Indiana is 6-0 ATS in their last six games, covering by nearly nine points per game on average. Even as underdogs, this trend is too significant to dismiss.
• Bulls regression risk: Chicago lost to Memphis as 5-point favorites — a result that suggests the line may have overcorrected in their favor tonight.
• Knicks without Shamet: New York is 1-5 ATS since Shamet's knee contusion on March 20. Until he returns, fading the Knicks against the spread carries historical support.
• Memphis pace factor: The Grizzlies' uptempo style could exploit the Knicks' road fatigue and force them into a style of play they're not built for.
• Grizzlies' injury concerns: Seven rotation players lost for the season keeps Memphis's ceiling low, even at home.

For fans who enjoy watching games live while tracking odds, an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K paired with your streaming app of choice makes it easy to follow multiple games simultaneously on the big screen.

Playoff and Draft Implications: What's Really at Stake

With just days left in the regular season, every game either inches a team toward a playoff seed or shifts the lottery odds by meaningful percentages. Tonight's games touch both ends of that spectrum.

For Indiana, the calculus is uniquely complex. A loss improves their lottery standing, but the Clippers' pick conveyance window (picks 5-9) means the Pacers need to either land in the top four or fall entirely out of the top nine to retain maximum value. A pick in the 5-9 range is the worst-case scenario for a franchise trying to build around a young core.

The Knicks, meanwhile, are chasing a favorable playoff seed that could determine whether they face an easier first-round opponent. A road win in Memphis would stop the bleeding on a troubling stretch and provide momentum heading into the postseason. A fourth road loss in a row raises real questions about their mental toughness when it matters most.

Chicago and Memphis are both playing for draft positioning with their losses, though Memphis's competitive spirit at home — even shorthanded — makes them a difficult out. The Grizzlies are a proud franchise that won't simply roll over for a struggling Knicks squad.

How to Watch Tonight's NBA Games

Catching tonight's NBA action is straightforward across multiple platforms. National broadcasts, regional sports networks, and streaming services all carry portions of the schedule. For local market restrictions, AL.com's viewing guide offers helpful tips on finding free streams for NBA games in your area.

It's also worth noting that ongoing carriage disputes — like the NBC and FuboTV dispute affecting some viewers in recent weeks — may impact availability depending on your provider. Always have a backup streaming option ready. An indoor HD TV antenna can also pick up nationally broadcast games over the air at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions: NBA Games Today (April 1, 2026)

What NBA games are on tonight, April 1, 2026?

Tonight's NBA schedule features two games: the Indiana Pacers at the Chicago Bulls at the United Center, and the New York Knicks at the Memphis Grizzlies. Both games carry significant late-season playoff seeding and lottery implications.

What are the odds for Pacers vs. Bulls tonight?

The Indiana Pacers are listed as +160 moneyline underdogs for tonight's game in Chicago. Despite the underdog designation, Indiana has covered the spread in six straight games, outperforming expectations by an average of 8.9 points per game.

Is Landry Shamet playing tonight for the Knicks?

Landry Shamet has been out since suffering a knee contusion on March 20, 2026, and his status for tonight's game against Memphis is uncertain. His absence has coincided with the Knicks going 1-5 against the spread during that stretch.

Why do the Pacers need to lose games right now?

Indiana is tied with the Wizards for the worst record in the NBA and holds a 52.1% chance at a top-four lottery pick. However, their 2026 first-round pick conveys to the Clippers if it falls between picks 5 and 9, meaning losses only help if they can secure a top-four outcome.

Can the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Knicks despite all their injuries?

Memphis is without seven players with a combined 133 starts, and they've gone just 1-6 in their last seven games. That said, their sixth-fastest pace in the league creates a stylistic challenge for the Knicks, who rank sixth-slowest. At home, Memphis remains capable of pulling an upset against a Knicks team currently struggling on the road.

Conclusion: A Night of High Stakes NBA Basketball

April 1, 2026 is no ordinary Wednesday night in the NBA. Between Indiana's tanking tightrope, Chicago's late-season slide, New York's road struggles, and Memphis's injury-depleted roster playing spoiler, tonight's two games offer everything that makes the final stretch of the regular season so compelling. Whether you're watching for the standings, the spreads, or simply the love of the game, tonight's NBA action is must-see television. Check your local listings, fire up your streaming service, and settle in for a meaningful night of basketball.